Which Penn State early enrollee freshmen are poised to make an impact in 2024?

The positives that come with enrolling early are obvious. Incoming freshmen get an advanced understanding of both the playbook and college life. They’re adding weight and muscle during winter workouts in the Lasch Building. And most importantly, they’re on the field for spring camp, pushing to make an initial impression.

Penn State inked its highly-rated 2024 recruiting class last month. And a couple weeks ago, 16 of the Nittany Lions’ 25 signees enrolled early.

It’s going to be difficult for some of them to make an instant impact. For example, offensive linemen need time to develop their bodies. Ethan Grunkemeyer, perhaps the quarterback of the future, is looking up at Drew Allar and Beau Pribula on the depth chart. The list goes on.

But there are a few early enrollees who are stepping into a situation where they can make their presence felt right away.

RB Quinton Martin

It would be easy to look at the running back room and assume Martin will have to wait his turn. The dynamic duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen isn’t going anywhere. But Martin, the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania and one of the top athletes in the class, should have a role.

Martin accumulated 2,460 yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground as a senior and junior at Belle Vernon. He also had 1,188 yards and 17 touchdowns on 81 catches in that span. Martin’s role as a receiver grew in 2023 with 764 yards and 11 scores on 54 catches.

Penn State’s offense, one that lacked pop in the passing game last year, will undergo a facelift with new play-caller Andy Kotelnicki. At Kansas, Kotelnicki got his backs involved, frequently moving them around the formation. That should open a window of opportunity for Martin.

“He wants to come in, compete and see how things play out,” James Franklin said on signing day. “And we are going to put him in position to do so.”

CB Jon Mitchell

Kalen King, Johnny Dixon and Daequan Hardy are off to the NFL. Georgia’s A.J. Harris and Florida’s Jalen Kimber transferred in, eyeing immediate playing time. Cam Miller, Zion Tracy and Elliot Washington are returning, hoping for the same. The corner room is in flux.

Mitchell, a four-star recruit from Jacksonville, was a priority target for cornerbacks coach Terry Smith, who has shown his willingness to play freshmen early. Tracy and Washington burned their redshirts last year even with King, Dixon and Hardy taking the majority of reps. Don’t be surprised if Mitchell follows a similar path.

DE Jaylen Harvey

Last year, we saw Chop Robinson, Adisa Isaac and Dani Dennis-Sutton dominate reps off the edge with Zuriah Fisher and Amin Vanover serving as key rotational pieces. But true freshman Jameial Lyons got some run, too. He was expected to redshirt, but Robinson missing two games expedited things a bit and forced Lyons into action. And he showed promise.

With Robinson and Isaac off to the NFL, Fisher, Vanover and Lyons will compete to start opposite Dennis-Sutton. But don’t sleep on Harvey playing a Lyons-like role.

TE Luke Reynolds

Theo Johnson is gone but the situation at tight end is strong. Tyler Warren, perhaps the team’s most reliable target in 2023, is back. So is Khalil Dinkins (North Allegheny), last year’s No. 3 tight end who is poised to step into a bigger role. Andrew Rappleyea, the highly-touted 2023 signee, redshirted last season and figures to find himself in the conversation for playing time.

There’s not necessarily a clear path for Reynolds to secure snaps. And some would consider the five-star as more of a project, having only made the switch from quarterback to tight end a couple years ago. But it’s hard to deny Reynolds’ raw talent. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder is a natural — and after winter workouts, he could assert himself into the mix.